The INDEPENDENT, April 19, 2000
Letters to the Editor
Bstwoon the Bookends
By Nancy Burch, Librarian
Vernonia Public Library
With the recent arrival of the server and the
software for the library’s automation program,
the process of installation and networking is now
taking place. Early in May, a technical represen
tative for the software, Athena, will be here to
conduct a training session. Since we are plan
ning to enter all (or at least most) of the library’s
materials into the program ourselves, competent
volunteers will be utilized as much as possible.
Anyone interested in helping with this procedure
is encouraged to contact me at the library to ob
tain more information.
Those of us who have seen the sample pro
gram are very pleased and excited about im
plementing it in the library. When all of the library
materials, patron information and record keep
ing information have been input, the library will
be able to function much more efficiently. Until
this process is completed (and it’s probably go
ing to take the better part of a year) check out
will be done either by hand or by scanning. Bear
with us. This may be confusing for awhile, but,
when completed, we think you will love it. The
patron search is very attractive and easy to use
and staff will be pleased to demonstrate or help
if desired.
The library continues to be the recipient of
wonderful gifts. These include a beautiful clock,
hand-painted on a saw and donated by John
Ricker. Be sure to notice this welcome addition
on your next visit to the library. You will find it lo
cated on the wall in the meeting room. Carol
Brown continues to donate some really nice
mysteries on a regular basis. This is a lady who
really knows her mysteries, especially those
written by women, and her donations add great
ly to that section of the library. Vernonia’s Chap
ter of P.E.O. recognized the value of audio tapes
to library patrons, including commuters and
young adults, and donated toward the purchase
of several new audio tapes.
Five more blue chairs for the meeting room
have been generously donated by the Vernonia
Study Club. The Study Club has supported the
library from its beginning, with monetary dona
tions for projects and materials and by placing
books in the library in memory of former Study
Club members. Until recent years, Silver Teas
were regularly hosted by the Study Club, with
donations received during these events to bene
fit the library. This is an event that will be revived
during the month of May when the Vernonia
Study Club will once again host a Silver Tea in
the library. Coffee, punch, and cookies will be
served by members of the organization and if
Baskets are gone,
reward is in place
To the Editor:
They’re Gone! All the bas
kets on the Rock Creek bridge
have been taken! These bas
kets were purchased by com
munity fund raisers (your dol
lars) and tended to by caring
volunteers. Isn’t it a shame that
something which brought en
joyment to so many would be
spoiled by one or two.
The Vandalism Reward of
From page 2
back up, but this time I didn’t
quite make it, and I can tell you
it is a very weird feeling when
you realize that you’re going
under and your paddle is stuck
two feet under the surface of
the water. I’m sure that once I
can quit freezing up at these
moments of truth, I will be able
to recover with a quick scull
stroke, until then, oh that water
is cold! The experience did
give me an opportunity to prac-
Page 3
anyone would like to make a donation to The
Study Club during this time, the organization will
determine a library need and contribute to that
need. More information about this upcoming Tea
will be available shortly.
The most recent additions to the library came
from Mary Ann Shaw. She has given her extra,
repotted houseplants to the library to use in
whatever way we wish. You will find that some of
these are for sale, but most are being used to
add to the ambiance of the library. These addi
tions to the library are all appreciated very much.
It is so wonderful to see Vernonia’s citizens con
tinue to support the library through donations,
services and usage.
The two books I would like to recommend this
month both deal with political intrigue, but in very
different settings and situations. The first, Sav
ing Faith, by David Baldacci, takes place near
Washington, D.C., and pits the power of the CIA
against the FBI, a powerful lobbyist and his as
sistant (Faith Lockhart), and a local private in
vestigator named Lee Adams. When Faith pre
pares to tell the FBI everything she knows about
the lobbyist, she becomes the target of an as
sassin. Lee is at the scene when the hit man
pulls the trigger and kills the wrong victim. Faith
and Lee find themselves targets of a relentless
pursuit, as both the FBI and a killer search for
them. This is a suspenseful tale of power gone
mad in Washington, and of one woman’s des
perate attempt to break out of a web of corrup
tion and terror that reaches farther than even
she can know.
The second novel, Black Mountain, by Les
Standiford, takes place in the wilderness of
Wyoming. When New York City subway cop
Richard Corrigan saves the life of the state’s
governor, the undeclared presidential candidate
decides to add him to a group taking a long-
planned wilderness trip for good luck and public
ity. Strange things begin to happen as soon as
they are underway. As small mishaps escalate
into major disasters, and one by one, the mem
bers of the expedition disappear or die, Corrigan
realizes it is up to him to fight back or there’ll be
no one left. The question is—what is he fighting
and whom? It’s up to Corrigan to find out, and
the answer, when it comes, will be a shock. It
may also be too late...
$100.00 is still in effect. If you
have any information, please
let us hear from you.
Contact the Vernonia Police
Department or call 429-1204.
Vernonia Pride
Thanks for choir’s
magnificent efforts
To the Editor:
On behalf of the Vernonia
community, I would like to per
sonally thank the Vernonia
tice my cowboy scramble, and
I managed to again pull it off
successfully.
Get out and explore our
great outdoors. There is much
adventure to be had in our own
back yard.
Izaak Walton League
meetings are on the third
Thursday of each month,
7:00 p.m. The public is
welcome. For meeting loca
tion, call (503) 429-7193.
Community Choir for present
ing their production, “I Choose
Jesus.” I was privileged to see
all three performances, and
was deeply touched each time.
The first two performances had
some minor difficulties, which
through persistence yielded a
magnificent performance Sun
day afternoon.
More than 500 people were
able to experience the life
changing power of one man,
Jesus Christ, because we live
in a community where the
churches and schools are will
ing to work together to provide
wholesome
and
uplifting
events that bring us all togeth
er. Vernonians have proven
that we are a community that
works together for the mutual
benefit of all our friends and
neighbors.
Thank you once again to the
Community Choir and our local
schools for making Vernonia a
place we can all be proud to
call home.
Pastor Grant Williams
Vernonia Community Church
Postmaster seeking Join us for feeling of
old photos of Timber accomplishment
To the Editor:
To the Editor:
Once a year our caring com
As Postmaster of Timber
and an Armchair Historian, I munity bands together for a
wish to express my apprecia few hours, where many hands
tion to everyone in the area complete an amazing amount
who has contributed to my his of tasks which would take a few
torical lobby display at the Tim forever to do. This year, Satur
ber Post Office. I began this day, April 29th, is when we’ll
project last September when I ‘Make Vernonia Shine’ during
first learned about the PR&N Earth Day/ Clean-up 2000. If
Railroad, and Timber’s relation you have ever wondered how a
ship with the railroad. I must few hours of your time could
say, my photo collection has make a difference, this is your
grown to an impressive size. opportunity to find out. We’ll
Large enough, I’m confident, to gather at the Vernonia Health
cause you to hang around a full Center Building starting at 9:00
a.m. The feeling of cama
10 minutes!
Although the community of raderie and accomplishment is
Timber is not the busy rail town absolutely great!
Vernonia Pride
it once was, the stories I’m get
ting of days gone by prove this
was a hugely successful, mon Dog
owner seeks
ey-making place. It looks like
help with training
the adjoining rail towns were
also quite busy. I have one
photo of the railroad station at To The Editor and to all my
Salmonberry, where a WWI MP good friends and neighbors on
is guarding a load of Spruce Lone Pine Rd:
This is a letter of apology,
lumber destined for a WWI
and a plea for help. I’d like to
plane manufacturer. Amazing!
Thank you Edmund Gravelle start off by saying I’m extreme
and Andy Wieland, Timber res ly sorry for the behavior of my
idents, for being so helpful and Australian Shepherd pup.
I’m aware of his obsession
just as enthusiastic. Also, thank
you to the Vernonia Historical with spinning wheels and tires
Museum for providing such a and his chasing and barking at
fine example of historical mem vehicles that drive by. I try to
orabilia for me to emulate (on a deal with him immediately
when I catch him in action
smaller scale!).
If I may, I’d like to ask if any (that’s the secret), but I’m not
citizens have any photos of the always there to catch him, you
Timber Post Office between, are, though!
If any of you find yourself be
probably, 1900 and 1939. I
have photos of when it was a ing chased and barked at by
combination store and Post Of him, and you have a minute to
fice with a picket fence around spare, could you immediately
the facility. After that period, I’m stop and aggressively and firm
not sure. I have 1940 photos, ly scold him? This needs to be
when it was in the present repeated every time to be ef
building, but minus the pitched fective. He needs to associate
his bad behavior with a conse
roof and veranda.
quence
(consistently).
Another request is for infor
I would like you to know that
mation anyone might have
about an old, unregistered you can come to me with any
cemetery located 1/2 mile up complaint that would concern
Timber Road beyond the Post my children, pets, etc. I would
Office, on the right, near the old never be upset with you. I’m
Army Trail Road. There are the type that would bend over
about 12 folks buried there, the backwards to right a wrong. All
last burial being a Mr. John that I ask is that you would be
Bros in 1919. That area is set up-front and honest, because
to be logged this year, and we that is what you can always ex
are anxious to locate the ceme pect from me. I am so sorry if
tery beforehand. If you have you feel I am an unapproach
I try to be a
any information, please stop by able person.
thoughtful, kind neighbor.
the Post Office.
I’m not going to give up on
Lastly, I’d like to invite every
one interested in the display to my Aussie, he is not at all vi
drive on up! My latest addition cious (his bark makes him
is a gorgeous photo of the Tim seem that way), and he has so
ber Class of 1935 and 1936. I much potential. He is only 9-
1/2 months old, and with a little
even have their names.
more
training and help from all
Remember, I have all the
postal services you require so of you he chases, he can be
don’t forget to bring your mail. come a well-behaved and well-
And I still serve Starbucks cof liked member of the families on
fee UNLIKE the Vernonia Post Lone Pine.
Thank You!
Office!
Kathy Dalebroux
Debby Sargent Goforth,
Vernonia
Postmaster
Timber Post Office
POLICY ON LETTERS
The INDEPENDENT welcomes readers’ letters and will
publish as many as possible. All letters must be signed
and include a verifiable address and telephone number,
although the address and phone number will not be print
ed except at the writer’s request. The INDEPENDENT re
serves the right to edit submissions for brevity or clarity.